New eBay experience.... I want it to make me money, so lower your price

So I had someone send me a message on a coin that I currently have listed, trying to get me to take a lower price by bashing the coin. He said he thought the coin would grade a 61, I told him a 58 was more likely.

So then I get a response back from him telling me that he didn't like the offer he gave me(in the message only, no actually offer from eBay) and if it was an UNC coin why was I asking so much.... which according to my reference, its between a AU50 and a MS60 in value. He then was explaining to me how he had to pay for it to be graded, then if it didn't come back as a MS61 or better, he wouldn't be able to flip it and make any money on the coin.....


So why do I, as a seller, care if you can or can not make any money trying to flip my coin?

It almost made me not want to deal with them, but after seeing they were the winning bidder on one of my coins I have no choice but to be nice and just told him I can't accept the price for that coin.


But come on now, has anyone in here ever messaged a seller saying hey I want this coin, but I want it cheaper so I can make money off of it when I turn around and sell it the day I get it....

 

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So now there are trolls on eBay. don't they know that eBay sellers are retailers? how else can the seller make money with all of these fees and such? I'd block the guy.

 

Yeah really.

 

It really gets to one of the really weird things in our hobby to me. I have never seen a hobby in which such a large percentage of participants are obsessed with "flipping" and other ways to get rich quick with the hobby. Seriously. I come onto Cointalk some days and think I am on a "wheeler dealer" website, not on a website dedicated to collecting. So many people ONLY want to know "what is it worth". They don't give a crud about its history, its level of preservation, mintages, survivorship rates, anything unless it has a direct bearing on value.

I never really have understood why coin collecting is so perversely affected by this phenonenon. Yes, every hobby has some of this, but some days it feels like ALL coin collecting is only about value and "making a buck". Yes, I understand value of coins and pay attention, but ONLY because I need to know the going rate for things to make educated purchases and maximize my hobby dollar. I collect coins for their artistry, beauty, and history, and some days I kind of feel like I am one of the last ones who actually collects for this reason, and are not closet dealers.

OP, I would just be a professional and either accept or decline the offer. The person making the offer was clearly unprofessional in asking you to make him money, but just rise above it and ignore it.

 

Trolls are everywhere.

 

Well this problem is more prevalent now more than ever. The middle class has been struggling since 2008 and they will continue to struggle for a few more years. People are trying to figure out way to pay the bills. To continue to meet ends meet and I for one don't find anything wrong with that. Especially in today's market with a lot of dealers offering 10% of a coins value.

 

In my opinion, people struggling to make ends meet shouldn't be trying to flip coins.

 

Agreed. If someone is trying to make ends meet than maybe they should get a part time job. Flipping coins may not be the most safe or logical way to try to make ends meet. Of course some do this and it works, but I would imagine many would lose money in the long run.

 

What difference does it make why he wants it cheaper? You will or won't accept it. So be it. Now, he may not have been the best move to tell you why he wants it cheaper.

 

You handled it well, IMO. Too funny that he actually wants you to reduce the price so he can flip it. Laughable.

 

Medoraman, I do agree with your post.

We are collecting "money" so it does make sense there would be a higher percentage of people in this hobby concerned with, uhm "money"....lol.

 

It doesn't matter to me if they want to flip it.
If no one was flipping, there would be a lot less demand for coins then there is.

 

Along with the "value" obsession, there's also a pernicious "fight or flight" mentality among the junior coin-grabbers, too. Some of these hand-wringing issues aren't worth pursuing, either economically or morally. Medoraman gives good counsel in just three words -- rise above it.

The best "proof" that some people have over-reached is the number of CT-er's bailing out; I've seen half a dozen, gung-ho a year ago, today blindsided by a reality check, looking desperately for the Exit.

 

You might point out to him that "share and care" is a commie doctrine.

 

Agreed!

 

I think Josh's response to Medoraman's post was in reference to people asking for how much their coins or collections are worth, not so much to the posts about flipping (buying and selling for profit). There are probably a lot of people out there who have inherited coin collections from relatives, either now or years ago. Some are now looking to sell because they need the money.

 

On being asked to lower the price so he could make a profit, I would have asked him, "What's in it for me? I want a profit too." He violated eBay rules if he contacted you directly. If that's the case, report him to eBay. Also, block him as a bidder on your auctions. The guy's a weasel.

 

That was my point exactly.